Where there is snow, there is a way.
At least that's how Bryce Willigar sees the formation of the new Innisfail Nordic Ski Club.
Bryce Willigar, a Mount Royal University eco-tourism student, had just returned from an internship with Canada's largest cross-country club in Ottawa and was walking through the Napoleon Lake recreational area in April when a thought struck him. “I was enjoying being back in Innisfail again, and I'm looking around me. This would make a good cross-country trail,” he said.
Earlier this month on Nov. 10 a group of 25 avid cross-country skiers met to formalize the Innisfail Nordic Ski Club, with Willigar serving as the president.
The ski club is not just a school project for Willigar, but rather the result of a lifelong passion for cross-country skiing. “I am a student at Mount Royal, but have skied most of my life,” he said. “In my eco-tourism class, I had to do a project and could have chosen anything, but once I walked through the Napoleon Lake area, I could not help but follow through.”
Nearly a decade prior, Innisfail had a well-organized club that included Jack Rabbits, a youth club meant for young skiers. Unfortunately, Innisfail lost its club as the president moved away, but the members stayed in the area.
“I realized that there were a lot of cross-country skiers who were going to Red Deer, the mountains, and other places to cross-country. Once I realized that we had an amazing area to ski in, I looked around and made some inquiries.”
The Innisfail Golf Club quickly jumped on board.
“I had been in contact with the course superintendent, Duane Simpson, and have recently got permission to track set five to six kilometres of ski trails,” said Willigar.
While the older Nordic ski club had disbanded, the track setting machine had not left the area. “I had contacted original club member Ray Westman, and he was able to put me on the trail of the track setting machine. We were on our way.”
While in his final year of studies at Mount Royal University, Willigar is not finished with Innisfail. “I am not sure where my career will take me, but I wanted to give back to the community.”
Interested skiers can find out more about the club at www.innisfailnordic.com, and register online, or go to the Chinook Center School and pick up waiver and registration forms from Colleen Willigar, the club's secretary and treasurer.
